RASCAL

Research and Special Collections Available Locally (Ireland)

Bryson and MacAdam Manuscripts Collection	Belfast Central Library
Associated Collections	Return to results page

Collection
Description	The Bryson and MacAdam manuscripts are the most comprehensive and important collection of Irish language manuscripts now in existence in Northern Ireland. They were purchased by Belfast Public Libraries in 1989 from the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society, the forty-four volumes in the collection have now been conserved and preserved on microfilm to the highest standard.The manuscripts, which date from the eighteenth and nineteenth centurys were collected by Dr Samuel Bryson and Robert MacAdam in the mid-1800’s. Both Bryson and MacAdam were born in Belfast, in 1778 and 1808 respectively. Bryson pursued a career in medicine, while MacAdam worked in the hardware trade. In 1838 he established the Soho Foundry in Townsend Street with his brother James. Bryson and MacAdam’s shared interest in the Irish language led to their involvement in the Ulster Gaelic Society, which was formed in 1830. The manuscript collection includes poetry, folklore, folksongs, natural history and religious texts. Many of the items are unique in Ireland, like the version of "Deirdre" written by Bryson himself in 1805. Ulster poets such as James McCourt, Patrick MacAlindon and Hugh MacDonnell are well represented. For example, MacDonnell, commonly known as the Belfast poet, has amongst others a short verse on the famine in 1846 and a poem of reconciliation composed to placate a couple in Glenties, who thought MacDonnell was a spy from Dublin Castle.
Strengths	Many of the items in the collection are unique in Ireland. The manuscripts date from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Physical Characteristics	There are forty four volumes in the collection. They have been conserved and are now preserved on microfilm.
Languages	Irish;English
Contents Date Range	1800 - 1900
Collection Type	Collection.Library.Text.Special
Accrual	Policy: Closed Method: Purchase Periodicity: Closed
Access	The material may be consulted at Belfast Central Library. Enquiries should be made to the Local History Department on the second floor. The material is for reference only. There is a microfilm surrogate of the collection, copies may be made from this. An appointment is not necessary.
Description or Catalogue	Fine Book Room Catalogue at Belfast Central Library; Descriptive Catalogue of the Bryson & MacAdam Collection, P. & B. Rowan; Clar na Lamhscribhini Gaeilge, Breandan O' Buachalla;
Publications Note	Archive

Collector
Name	Robert Shipboy MacAdam (1808-1895)
Role	Private Collector
History	Robert Shipboy MacAdam Industrialist, Antiquarian and Gaelic Scholar. b. Belfast, 1808. Ed. Belfast Royal Academical Institution. Established the Soho Foundry in Belfast as a young man with his brother James in 1832, patenting a design for a steam turbine and trading as far away as Egypt. In 1830 formed the Ulster Gaelic Society, the first such language revival organisation in Ireland. Was particularly interested in this area being fluent in 13 languages and in encouraging the study of the Irish Language. Collected native songs, proverbs, stories and Irish manuscripts while travelling around Ireland on business. Compiled an English-Irish Dictionary around this time. Member of the Belfast Literary Society (President, 1846-47; 1856-57), the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society (Vice-President, 1851-56; 1871-73; 1881-86), the Linen Hall Library and the Harmonic and Harp Societies. Also played a founding role in the establishment of the Belfast Museum and, in 1853, the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, which he also edited and financed for 9 years. d. 1895 Publications included: An Introduction to the Irish Language (Belfast, 1835) Sources: Dictionary of Ulster Biography, Kate Newmann (Belfast, 1993) http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/heritage/news/RobertShipboyMcAdam.asp Robert Shipboy McAdam: His Life and Gaelic Proverb Collection, A.J. Hughes (Belfast, 1998)

Name	Dr Samuel Bryson (1778-1853)
Role	Private Collector
History	Dr Samuel Bryson Surgeon and Gaelic Scholar. b. Belfast, 1778; became assistant surgeon in the army; on staff of Old Royal Hospital, Frederick Street, Belfast, 1836; Developed an early fascination with which his father, the Rev. John Bryson, had held for the ancient culture and literature of Ireland by assembling and copying a vast collection of rare manuscripts and by promoting the study of the Irish language and literature; d. Belfast, 1853. Publications included: Remains of the Irish Bards (1805) Source: Concise Dictionary of Irish Biography, John S. Crone (Dublin, 1928); Dictionary of Ulster Biography, Kate Newmann (Belfast, 1993)

Owner
Organisation	Belfast Central Library
Role	Public Library
Telephone	+44 (0)28 9050 9150
Fax	+44 (0)28 9031 2886
Email	buis@libraries.belfast-elb.gov.uk
History	Belfast Central Library was opened in October 1888 by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Marquis of Londonderry. The building was designed by the eminaent architect W. H. Lynn. The Newsroon (newspaper reading room) was the first part of the Library to be opened to the public, this was followed a month later by the opening of the Lending Library. The Reference Library was stocked and opened to the public in late 1889.Sir James Henderson donated 3,000 volumes to the Reference Library and a further 8,000 were selected with advice from the professors of Queen’s College (Queen’s University Belfast). A printed catalogue of the Library appeared in 1896. Belfast Central Library was granted United Nations depository status in 1956 and HMSO depository status in 1961.Today the stock in Central Library exceeds one million items and includes books, maps, newspapers, patents, sound recordings and government and agency publications. Much of the material in the various collections is listed on computer, while access to other sources is provided by CD Rom facilities and on-line access to more than 400 databases worldwide.

Location
Name	Belfast Central Library
Address	Belfast Ulster and Irish Studies Department, Royal Avenue, Belfast United Kingdom BT1 1EA
Website	http://www.belb.org.uk/library/centralLibrary.htm
Access Control	Most of the stock is available for loan to any registered member of the Northern Ireland Library Authority. Hire charges apply to audio/ visual stock. Borrower tickets can be acquired from any public library in Northern Ireland on production of valid identification confirming name and address. A limited amount of material is for reference only. No prior appointment is necessary. Library opening hours are Monday to Thursday (09.00-20.00), Friday (09.00-17.30) and Saturday (09.00-16.30).
Role	Irish & Local Studies Librarian
Phone	+44 (0)28 9050 9150
Fax	+44 (0)28 9031 2886
Email	p.walker@libraries.belfast-elb.gov.uk